After dominating in the NBA for years with the Philadelphia 76ers, Charles Barkley took his talents to television.
Barkley is never one to shy away from bold takes or heavy criticism, often jumping at the opportunity to claim something out of the ordinary. The Sixers legend did just that when he claimed the Cleveland Cavaliers should make Jarrett Allen their No. 2 option rather than Darius Garland or Evan Mobley.
“The one guy that drives me crazy, and I’ve been waiting on him, I’ve been bragging about this dude for five years, and he disappoints me every year: Jarrett Allen,” Barkley shared on The Rich Eisen Show. “I thought he’d be a 20-10 guy and an All-Star by now. He should be the second option on that team, he’s the second-best player on that team. People automatically go to Mobley."
Most would favor Mobley or Garland over Allen as the Cavs' second option, considering his lack of scoring potential. He averaged 16.5 points on 63.4% shooting last season but lacks the explosive game upside of his teammates.
“When I watch them play, when Jarrett Allen plays well, that’s when they play their best. It should be Donovan [Mitchell] and Jarrett Allen—one and two—and everybody else gets to eat after that.”
Garland and Mobley are each top-five picks in their respective draft classes, and although they're yet to fully put it together, need touches to make a major leap. Favoring the 26-year-old Allen over the two younger options seems illogical, as his primary focus is on locking down the paint. He averaged 10.5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks last year.
Barkley went on to note that Allen is the lone No. 2 option who can "get you easy buckets," but left out an explanation of how Mobley doesn't fit that description at 6-foot-11. There's no argument around Allen making serious strides each season, but pushing the agenda he should become the Robin to Donovan Mitchell is bold.
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